Stenciling machine



Mac'l 31, 1931. A THATCHER 1,798,179

STENCILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1929 vemar:

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Patented Mar. 31,. 1931 UNirED STATES PATENT OFFICE LINDEN A. THATCHER, F BELLEVILLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 UNDERWOOD ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,`A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE STENCILING MACHINE Application led February 19, 1929. Serial No. 341,234.

This invention relates to duplicating machines where a foraminous stenciling cylinder may co-operate with a feed-roller to produce stencil copies, and more particularly to an improved mechanism applying a coat of ink to the interior surface of the cylinder when required.

The main object is to provide an inking device which is simple, convenient, efficient lo and clean in operation. The invention includes means whereby to cause an ink-fountain to discharge ink and simultaneously to press an ink-spreader or brush against the surface being inked.

There is secured within the usual perforated stenciling cylinder an ink-fountain or lcontainer which may assume the form of a drum extending from end to end of the stenciling cylinder. This container or fountaindrum may be rotatively shifted or swiveled, at will, independently of the rotation of the stenciling cylinder, so as to allow the ink to drop or trickle through suitable apertures provided in the container, onto the interior surface of the stenciling cylinder. The ink filters through the perforations of the stencilcylinder and permeates the usual ink-blanket, which may be stretched around the cylinder to form the backing for a 4stencil-sheet to be fastened thereon.

An ink-spreader or brush, which may also extend from end to end ofthe stenciling cylinder, is movable between operative and inoperative position, that is, to and from said surface ot the stencil-cylinder. The movement of the brush is coupled with the movement of said ink-fountain, and when the latter is held in ink-discharging position, the brush is pressed against the wall of the stenciling cylinder, so that now by lgiving the latter several turns, the ink may be evenly distributed. After sulicient ink has been applied, the ink-fountain will be allowed to return to inoperative position, together with the distributor-brush.

The novel inking device is shown with a duplicating or stenciling machine, such as shown in my co-pending application No. 334,157 dated January 22, 1929, the inking device to be entirely enclosed by the stenciling cylinder to prevent ink leakage at inopportune places, such as is liable to render the operator loath to the use of the machine. The enclosure is also Well apt to subdue undesirable evaporation or drying of the ink and thus to keep the machine longer in good working condition.

The stenciling cylinder is supported in end journals upon a machine-frame, and the ink-fountain is supported coaxially with the stenciling cylinder. An ink-inlet port in the form of a hollow shaft or pipe is provided at one end of the ink-fountain extending centrally through the adjacent journal. A suitable eXtension of said hollow shaft may form a handle to be rigid with the ink-container, by means of which the latter may be conveniently operated.

The brush is preferably suspended directly from the ends of the ink-fountain. When the latter is rotatively shifted to discharge ink, the brush or spreader, due to its eccentric mounting, will approach the inking surface. By means of a toggle linkage provided between the free end of the spreader and the machine-frame, the spreader is eiiiciently guided into and out of use, in accordance with the shifting of the ink-fountain.

The operators hand, in positioning the ink-fountain discharge, also presses the brush effectively against the inking surface. In this way the brush, despite its possibly worn condition, can always be caused to work efficiently upon the surface. Especially when after a period of idleness the inkblanket has become drjT and the ink sluggish, the brisk stir of the bristles, acting through the perforations upon the blanket, is eX- tremely desirable for retrieving the blanket quickly and for reviving the filtering of the ink.

Another feature provides simple and efiicient means for automatically closing and opening said ink-discharging apertures of the ink-container. Novel closure members are designed to effectively seal said apertures and to prevent the same from getting clogged up with dried ink.

According to still another feature, an inkdistributor substantially as described is rendered active in a. convenient manner by the depression of a handle against the tension of a returning spring.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the stenciling cylinder, and shows-the novel inking device enclosed therein as in idle position.

Figure 2 is a perspective View to supplement Figure l.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inking device as in idle position.

AFigure 4 is a similar view; however, .showing the inlring device in action with the inl; dropping from the ink-container, the brush being engaged upon the inling surfaceand ,the stenciling cylinder being in motion, causing the brush to spread the ink.

Figure 5 shows a detail of the resilientlymounted valve-bodies.

Astencil-cylinder having the usual perforations 11and carrying an ink-blanket -12 and a stencil-sheet (not shown), has closed ends including a hub 13 and a hub 14, the latter forming part ofa detachable end Yplate 15, which is secured by screws 16 to the cylinder-body. The stenciling cylinder is supported in bearings 16L and 17 of the main machine-frame and shown to co-operate with a feed-roll 17, (dot and dash) Figure 3, for producing stencil-copies, said bearings having removable covers 18 allowing for convenientdetachment of the stenciling cylinder from the machine. At one end, the cylinder is supported by means of a stub-shaft 19 fixed in the hub 14 by a stud 2O lodging in a recess 21 of said hub 14, and carrying at its free end a crank 22. The other end of the cylinder 10 is supported upon a bearing sleeve '23 rigidly fixed within the main 4bearing 17 by means of akey-.and-groove connection 24. rIhe stenciling cylinder thus is rotatable independently from the novel inling device, which is entirely enclosed within the stenciling cylinder.

The device includes a cylindrical ink fountain or container rotatable, at will, coaxially with the stenciling cylinder. The cylinder has an end plate 25 into which is shown to be threaded a shoulder-pivot 26 to fit centrally into a bore of the above-mentioned stubshaft 19. Centrally extending from the otherend plate 26a of the container is a pipe 27 supported within said rigid sleeve 23 for rotation, and conveniently serving as an inlet for supplying ink to the container. The inlet is supplemented by an elbow fitting 28, a vertical pipe 29 and a screw-cap 30 serving as a closure piece and equally as a handle for the operation of the inking device, as will bc presently seen.

By using the inlet-pipe and the cap 30 as a handle, the cylindrical ink-container may be given a fraction of a full turn, as indicated in Figure 4, just enough to allow the ink to drop through openings 31 suitably disposed inthe Wall of the container,there being-also shown a vent-pipe 32 upon the container ywhich should be of sufficient length to prevent ink from flowing out through the vent when the container is well filled up with ink (as shown). As the ink trickles upon theinterior surface of 'the stenciling cylinder, a brush 33 extending froln end to end thereof will be brought to bear upon the inking surface while simultaneously the stenciling cylinder may begiven a couple ofturns,so as to cause the brush to evenly distribute the dischargingink over the whole cylinder. The brush, by means of a set-screw 34, may be fixed in a socketor channel 35 of sheet-metal, which, by means of arms 36 and 37, is endwise suspended from a shaft 38, which .in turn is journaled in the end plates 25 and 26a of the ink-container, said arms being rigidly fastened by means of pins 39upon said shaft l38. As the ink-containeris 1rotated from its ,inoperative position, Figure 3, to its ink-discharging position, see Figure 4, the brush, by reason of its eccentric pivotal mounting, will tend to swing toward the surface of the stenciling cylinder, and is moreover urged .to do so, that is to bear against the inliing surface, through the bracing action of a toggle-link 39a pivoted at 40 upon the brush-arm37, and at .41 upon a rigid arm 42 extending from the above-mentioned rigid bearing sleeve 23. lVhile this toggle-link constitutes a simple, rugged and efficient connection for operating the brush, other suitable means may beeinployed to control said brush. The .handle of the inking device .is operated against the tension of a coil-spring 43, anchored in ,an ear 44 bent over from the one end plate 25, and is attached to a pin 45 shown upon the brusharm 37. Upon releasing the handle, therefore, said spring 43 willirestore the ink-container as well as the brush Yto inoperative position, Figure 3. To perform a double task, the spring 43 in its Figure 3 condition is shown to be slightly flexed between its anchoring points to fit tangentially into a circular groove 43a upon the stub-shaft 19` so as to incidentally detain the same in place upon the pivot 26 whenever the stencil-cylinder, together with the enclosed inking device, happens to be lifted off its bearings 16a and 17.

It will be furthermore seen that the actual pressure of the .operators hand, see Figure 4, will urge the brush against the inlring surface to secure effective distribution of the ink. IVhile the inking device may be easily removed and inspected, owing to the removable cylindrical end l5, it is otherwise entirely enclosed, precluding any possibility of ink escaping from the inside of the cylinder at inopportune places and smudging the hands of the operator.

It is an essential refinement to provide means for automatically opening and closing' the ink-discharging apertures when the inl;- ing device is operated, the purpose being, firstly to prevent the liquid as far as possible from evaporating, and secondly to keep said apertures 3l clear, that is, free from driedup ink which is liable to clog up these openings, and thereby to cause trouble in operation. To this end, simple and efficient means are provided in the form of a plate 46, preferably of resilient sheet metal, to be fastened as by screws 47 upon the shaft 38. and extending from end to end thereof. The plate is sub-divided into a number of resilient tongues 48 according to the number of apertures 31, each tongue carrying loosely anchored therein a conical valve-like body or plug 49 shaped to properly close up said apertures 31, as may be clearly seen from Figure 3 and det-ail Figure 5. When the plugs operate to close the apertures, the point of the plug-cone will find its way into the opening, and due to its flexible anchorage, the plugl will properly adjust itself upon its seat. The wedging action of the cones within their seats will help to prevent ink from settling down upon said seats. While the inking device is Working, as in Figure 4, the plugs are swung away from their seats together with the brush-arms 3G and 37 and allow the ink to discharge unhindered through the openings, as shown.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a stencil-carrier, of an ink-distributor including an ink-container opera le to discharge ink onto the stencil-carrier, an ink-spreader normally idle but operable to bear upon the stencil-carrer when ink is to be applied thereto while'said stencil-carrier is to be moved relatively to the spreader for the purpose of spreading the ink. and means for coupling the operation of the ink-container with the operation of the ink-spreader.

Q. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a foraminated cylindrical stencilcarrier rotatably supported in the machineframe. of an ink-distributor arranged within said stencil-carrier and including an inkcontainer extending from end to end of said stencil-carrier and operable in order to discharge inl; onto the interior surface of the stencil-carrier, an ink-spreader also extending normally idle from end to end of said stencil-carrier, but operable to bear upon said interior surface when ink is to be applied thereto while said stencil-carrier is to be rotated for the purpose of spreading the ink, and means for coupling the operation of the ink-container with the operation of the inkspreader.

3. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a foraminated cylindrical stencilcarrier rotatably supported in the machineframe, of an ink-distributor located within said stencil-carrier and including an ink-container normally stationary vbut rotatively shiftable to discharge inl onto the interior surface of said stencil-carrier, an inkspreader normally idle but operable to bear upon the interior surface of said stencilcarrier when ink is to be applied thereto, said spreader to be suspended from said container and eccentrically of the cylinder-axis for swinging movement to and from the inlring surface as said container is shifted, said stencil-carrier to be rotated for the purpose of spreading the ink when the spreader is engaged upon the surface, and means for positively guiding the free end of said spreader between operative and idle position in unison with the respective shift-positions of said container.

4. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a foraminateu cylindrical stencilcarrier rotatably supported in a machineframe, of an ink-distributor located within said stencil-carrier and including an inkcontainer normally7 stationary but rotatively shiftable to discharge ink onto the interior surface of said stencil-carrier. an inlispreader normally idle but operable to bear upon the interior surface of the stencil-carrier when ink is to be applied thereto, said spreader to be suspended from said container and eccentrically of the cylinder-axis for swinging movement to and from the cylinder-surface as said contain-er is shifted, said stencil-carrier to be rotated for the purpose of spreading the ink whenthe spreader is engaged upon the surface, and a toggle-link between the free end of the movable spreader and point rigid with the machine-frame, said linlr to render positive the movement of said spreader between idle and operative position in unison with the respective shiftpositions of the ink-container.

5. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a foraminated cylindrical stencilcarrier rotatably supported in the machineframe, of means for dispensing ink onto the interior surface 'of the cylinder, an inkspreader extending from end to end of said stencil-carrier, said spreader normally idl and spaced from the interior surta-ce of the cylinder but operable to bear against the surface in order to spread ink applied thereto while the stencil-carrier is to be rotated, and a toggle-device backed upon a portion rigid with the machine-rame,l for controlling the movement of the ink-spreader to .and from the surface to be inked.

6. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a foraminated cylindrical stencilcarrier having ends to form" a closed drum, one end to be detachable for gaining access tothe interior of the drum, said drum rotatably supported by journals upon the machineframe, ot a closed ink-reservoir substantially as herein disclosed, said ink-reservoir entirely enclosed within said drum, and accessible means extending centrally through a journal into the drum. and movable within .said journal to effect discharge oi ink from said reservoir within the drum.

7. In aduplicating machine, the combination with a i'oraminated cylindrical stencilcarrier rotatably supported by end journals upon the machine-frame, ot an ink-distributor within said stencil-carrier', including an ink-container extending from end to end of the stencil-carrier, means for independently operating the ink-container, so as to discharge inl, at will, onto the interior surface of the stencil-carrier, said ink-container 'having at one end an axial tubular extension rigid therewith and leading centrally through the adjacent journal, so as to serve .as a vconvenient ink-inlet port for the container.

8. In a duplica-ting machine, the combination with a foraininated stencil-cylinder rotatably supported by end journals'upon the machine, of an ink-distributor within said stencil-cylinder, including an ink-container extending rom'end to end of the stencil-cylinder and mounted coaxi ally therewith Jfor independent rotative shitting, to discharge ink -on the interior surface of the stencil-cy-linder, said ink-container having suitable inkdischarging apertures and having -at one end an axial tubular extension rigid therewith and leading centrally through the adjacent journal, so as to serve conveniently as an inkinlet port for `the container and equally as a handle by means ot which to operate said container at' will.

9. In a duplicating machine, the vcombination with a. rotatable stencil-cylinder, ot an ink-c istributor located within said stencilcylinder and including an ink-container longitudinally extending from end to end Vof the stencil-cylinder and 'having a longitudinal ar 'ay of apertures for discharging the ink, sind container to be Vrotatively shittable between operative and inoperative position, plugs i tted to enter said apertures and to close the same when the container is inoperative, and means :tor controlling said plugs in accordance with the respective shift-positions of said container.

10. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-cylinder, of an ink-distributor located within said stencilcylinder and including an ink-container lon- -ditudinally extending from end to end of said stencil-cylinder and having a longitudinal array of apertures for discharging the ink, said container to be rotatively shiftable between operative and inoperative position, plugs in the form of cones, itted to enter and close said apertures when seated upon conforming faces while the container is inoperative, and means for controllingsaid plugs in accordance with the respective positions of said fountain.

1l. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-cylinder, oi an ink-distrilnitor located within said stencilcylinder and including an ink-container longitudinally extending from end to end of said stencil-cylinder and having a longitudinal array of apertures for discharging the ink, said container to be rotatively shit'table between operative and inoperative position, plugs fitted to enter and close said apertures when the container is inoperative, means for controlling said plugs in accordance with the respective shift-positions of the container, and means for resiliently supporting said plugs, insuring their true seating.

12. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-cylinder, of ,an ink-distributor located within said stencilcylinder and including an ink-container longitudinally extending from end to end of said stencil-cylinder and having a longitudinal array of apertures for discharging the ink, said container rotatively shiftable between operative and inoperative position, plugs titted to enter and close said apertures when the container is inoperative, and means for controlling said plugs in accordance with the respective shift-positions of the container, said means including a. resilient tongue Jfor each plug to carry the same for true seating.

13. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-cylinder, of an ink-distributor located within said stencil- 'e and a resilient finger for each plug, said plugsv to be loosely anchored upon said fingers for true seating when urged to close said apertures.

lll. In a' duplicating machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-cylinder, of an ink-distributor located within said stencilcylinder and including an ink-container longitudinally extending from end to end of the stencil-cylinder, said container to be rotatively shiftable between operative and inoperative position and having a longitudinal array of ink-discharging apertures, an inkspreader also extending from end to end 0f the stencil-cylinder and to be suspended from the ends of said container for swinging movement to and from the inlring surface, and means including a closure-member for said apertures, said closure-member swingable together with said spreader, so that retreat of the spreader will close said apertures, while the advance of the spreader will open the same.

15. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-cylinder, of an ink-distributor located within said stencilcylinder and including an ink-container operable for discharging ink onto the interior surface of said cylinder, an ink-spreader operable to bear upon said interior surface, and spring-means for returning the operating elements of said ink-distributor to ineective position.

16. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a rotatable stencil-cylinder, of an ink-distributor located within said stencilcylinder and including an ink-container extending from end to end of said stencil-cylinder and rotatively shiftable for discharging ink onto the interior surface of said cylinder, an ink-spreader also extending from end to end of said cylinder, -said spreader endwise suspended from said container to be pivoted thereon for swinging movement to and from the cylinder-surface, a spring tensioned to interconnect said spreader with said container and effective to normally hold said spieader remote from said cylinder-surface and hugged against -said container, means for shifting said container in order to discharge ink, and toggle-linkage backed upon a point rigid with the machine-frame, for simultaneously urging said spreader away from said container and toward the cylindersurface, said spring-tension effective upon release of said shifting means to return the spreader as well as the container to ineffective position.

17. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a foraminated cylindrical stencilcarrier rotatably supported by end journalbearings upon the machine, of an ink-distributor within said stencil-carrier, bot-h stencil-carrier and ink-distributor to be liftable as a unit from said bearings, -said inkdistributor including an ink-container extending from end to end of said stencil-carrier and mounted coaxially therewith for independent rotative shifting to discharge ink onto the interior surface of the stencil-carrier,

there being a stub-shaft rotatable in one bearing and which is to support thereon one end of said stencil-carrier and which has means for impelling the latter, said stub-shaft also carrying at its inner end the adjacent end of the coaxial ink-container, an ink-spreader also extending from end to end of said carrier, said spreader endwise suspended from ink-distributor is removed from its bearings upon the machine, means for rotatively shifting said container against said spring-tension in order to discharge ink, and a togglelinkage backed upon a point rigid with the machine-frame for pressing the -spreader against the interior surface of the carrier while the container discharges ink, said spring-tension effective upon release of said shifting means to return the spreader as well as the container to ineffective position.

18. In a duplicating machine, the combination with a foraminated cylindrical stencilcarrier, of an ink-distributor within said stencil-carrier, and means for supporting both said stencil-carrier and said ink-distributor upon the machine-frame, said inkdistributor including an ink-container extending from end to end of said stencil-carrier and mounted coaxially therewith for independent rotative shifting to discharge ink onto the interior surface of said stencil-carrier, said supporting means including a stubshaft rotatable in a j ournal-bearing upon the machine-frame and which is to support thereon one end of said stencil-carrier and which has means for impelling the latter, said stub-shaft also serving as a bearing for the adjacent end of the coaxial ink-container, said supporting means further including a sleeve rigid upon the machine-frame to support thereon the other end of the stencil-carrier and also to serve as a journal-bearing for the corresponding end of the independently-shiftable ink-container.

1,9. In a rotatable cylindrical stencil-carrier, an ink-reservoir mounted therein having valves to control the discharge of ink therefrom, a movable ink-distributor normally out of engagement with the carrier, and means, effective in a single movement, to operate said valves to discharge the ink and also move the distributor against the inside of the carrier for spreading the ink when the carrier is rotated.

iso

V2O. n a duplicating machine, the combination with aY stencil-carrier, of an inkreservoirv operable to discharge ink on the carrier, an ink-spreader movable into effective and ineective positions with reference to the carrier, the spreader being operable to bear against the carrier to spread the discharged ink thereon When the Carrier is movedrelatively thereto, and a single means co-ordinating the operations of the reservoir and the spreader.

LINDEN A. THATCHER. 

